In the heart of Toronto, Canada’s biggest city. Five thousand years into Kali Yuga. Shortly after a
brutal pandemic. Surrounded by an ocean of materialism, sin, and providers of sense gratification, such as cosmetic surgery and Botox clinics, strip clubs, liquor stores, cannabis stores, and night clubs. In this most unfavorable environment, a residence of young devotees within the Toronto ISKCON temple ashram has surfaced with energy, commitment, and engagement to learn and practice Bhakti Yoga. The whole Toronto temple has felt rejuvenated, a feeling that grows with each exuberant Sunday Feast.
The new ashram program, known as the Bhakti Academy Toronto, came about with a cooperative effort between the Toronto temple leaders and Bá¹›hat Mridanga Das, a graduate of the Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida. Brhat Mrdanga Prabhu brought the system developed in Gainesville to Toronto, bringing to this country an experience not seen since the early 1970s.
The Bhakti Academy Toronto is a full-time residential program where young adult students study and practice Bhakti Yoga, while engaging with all the activities of the temple and organizing their own. Students learn bhajans, mridanga, kartals, and harmonium, Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, Sri Isopanishad, and Nector of Devotion, how to distribute Prabhupad’s books, how to teach a Bhagavatam class, and much more.
Students partake in the morning program, temple service, Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita reading during lunch, harinama and an evening class. Every Sunday, students chant and serve at the Sunday Feast with remarkable enthusiasm. Other activities include enlivening home programs, japa walks in nature, and kirtan at the beach. At the end of each semester, students take a road trip for a few days, where they can enjoy beautiful calm and peaceful natural environments at the homes of generous devotees.
It is outstanding to see the joy in the hearts of these students. Some have expressed that they have never been this happy in their lives. This kind of strong family bond and support that they all have with each other is far beyond any bond that many, including me, have ever seen. Students regularly appreciate, comfort, pay obeisances, serve prasad, teach and serve one another. We feel that Srila Prabhupada would appreciate the service mood within the Academy.
Although it is in Kali Yuga, we are in its golden age following the appearance of Lord Caitanya. Within this Bhakti Academy, you can clearly see many symptoms of this golden age. It is truly such a blessing to experience. Let us all pray for Bhakti Academy in all major cities of North America and around the world.
Srila Prabhupada, ki… Jaya!
– Bhakta Alex